Amalfi coast - scooters
 

We will be on the Amalfi coast from 11 - 14 June. Friends of ours were there in May and hired a scooter for the day and drove all the way up the coast. They say it was the highlight of their trip. Does anyone else recommend doing this since I'm sure that over the time we are there it is going to be a lot busier than in May and from this site I have read about how wild the Amalfi coast road is - my husband can ride a motorbike but will we not be dicing with death to do it in June?! Any commments? Also, if you only had two full days to explore the Amalfi coast what would you definitely do or what towns would you explore. What would you skip? We are going to be staying in Sorrento.

Thanks in advance for the input everyone.

Traffic on the Amalfi Drive is not wild. It's just that in the height of the tourist season it's mobbed - and very slow.

Your dates may still be reasonably uncrwoded - and therefore the scooter should be fun - as long as he's experienced - and you learn and follow the local rules. I wouldn;t do it in the summer - simply because the traffic is so bad - and a scooter is so much worse than a car in stop and go traffic.

Just be aware:

there are many blind drives you need to be aware of - they're signed - but take the signs very seriously seriously

if you hear a horn honking as you approach a curve honk back - or you may find yourself facing a vehicle driving straight down the center of the road - instead of in its own lane

be prepared for possible delays - since there are several places where two buses or a bus and truck cannot pass - and one has to back up- and everyone waits until they do

And MOST IMPORTANT - no riding between cars as so many bike riders do here - there simply is no room there - and you could easily be squashed.

Hi miller,

How experienced are you at riding on the back of a motorbike?

He might find the Coast Road fun. You might find it terrifying.

>... two full days to explore the Amalfi coast ...<

One day for Sorrento, possibly Pompeii.
One day for the ferry to Amalfi and the SITA bus back, with a stop in Positano.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Thanks for the responses so far. Traffic tips sound great nytraveler. As for your question Ira, I am TERRIFIED of being on the back of a bike - so was secretly hoping that you would all say 'dont be mad, dont do it' but now I'll have to show him these replies!

miller, We will be in Sorrento second half September and were also planning to rent a scooter for a few days. We've done it once in Rhodes (Greece) and it was lots of fun. I realize that traffic in Italy may be different, though! BTW, my husband is not an experienced motorbike rider.
I'd love to hear about your experience once you get back.

So many pleasant towns in Italy and Greece are ruined by people buzzing to and fro on scooters. Do you know what Vespa means in Italian?

MyriamC will be back on 26 June and will let you know on this thread how it went - If I'm still alive that is!

In June it will be verrrry crowded.

One day I was on the Amalfi Coast road looking over the edge with a local friend of mine. I casually asked how many tourists fall off the road a year and he shrugged and said, not so many, mostly motorcyclists who don't know what they are doing or are going too fast and lose control. Typical Southern Italian reaction.

If you are terrified why would you consider it? There is a limit to "togetherness".

A lot of stop and go on a scooter is not my idea of an appealing way to see the Amalfi coast. We were there in March and the highway was busy then. You should consider that there will be many large tour buses and probably numerous inexperienced motorists plus more neophite scooter riders than the road can easily accommodate. I agree with SeaUrchin. Why put yourself through it? Put your fate and faith in the hands of one of the numerous highly skilled Sita bus drivers and relax and enjoy the view.

Hi,
My DH rented what he was hoping was a scooter and he and our daughter rode around for a few hours. There are roads that go up from the main coast road. They reported that it was fun, but his scooter was more of a motor cycle and not the tame scooters that you rent in Greece. I know it would have been more fun if it was a scooter, as he had to get the use to all the power. Drive carefully.

Hi everyonne. Back from a wonderful trip and thought I should let those interested know how the scooter thing went. Scooter cost for the day was 35 euro. I was really nervous at first but soon relaxed and I have to say that this day was one of the highlights of our trip. I would have to say though that I dont think it would be pleasant going in the very peak season simply because even with a scooter it would probably take forever to get through Positano especially. As it is we were quite slowed down there. As has been mentioned before one cant go fast because of the windy road so I think that also helped a bit with the nerves but if one's spouse knows how to ride a bike then I would HIGHLY recommend this! We had lunch at a restaurant on the beach in Praiano called Il Pirata. Fish (freshly caught) and pasta. Would aslo recommend this place for a special treat. Bill for 4 of us with vino della casa was about 60 euro and we were brought copious quantities of bread for soaking up all the sauce. Divine, wish i coud go back!!!

Thanks so much for coming back to us, miller.
Glad you enjoyed your scooter-day so much. I'm sure we will, too!
Found the website for Il Pirata. Looks very good, and affordable.
Thanks again!